Gunderson manufactures railcars and oceangoing barges at its plant on the Willamette River.

Gunderson and other companies that equip those that transport consumer goods are heavily impacted by the world economy. Greater consumer activity means more orders for railcars and barges. But a big question these days is whether there is sufficient highly skilled labor.

This week, Gunderson signed a letter of intent to deliver 15 barges for the Morrow Pacific project – a low-sulfur coal shipping operation out of the Port of Morrow. The contract is valued at $55 million and expected to employ 350 workers. Morrow Pacific also signed a letter of intent for a contract worth more than $20 million with Vigor Industrial – on Swan Island – to provide five additional covered barges.